Kazakhstan is strengthening its position in the Belgian market. In 2025, Kazakh exports to Belgium surged by 48% to $311.5 million, with flaxseed becoming the country’s main export commodity, DKNews.kz reports.
Now the two sides want to move beyond simple raw material supplies. The focus is shifting to deep grain processing, European technologies, logistics through major ports, and potential investment projects in Kazakhstan.
Kazakh Flaxseed Strengthens Its Position in Europe
The economic agenda dominated the working visit of Roman Vassilenko, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium, to West Flanders.
The diplomat met with Patrick Maselis, owner and CEO of the Belgian Maselis Group, as well as the management of Borlix NV. Both companies specialize in grain-based ingredients and the deep processing of agricultural raw materials.
One figure highlighted the scale of the market: in 2025, Kazakhstan’s exports to Belgium increased by 48% to $311.5 million.
Flaxseed accounted for the largest share of those supplies.
Belgium is currently the largest European market for Kazakh flaxseed, while Kazakhstan ranks first among suppliers of flaxseed to the European Union.
For Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector, this is more than just another export statistic. A strong position in a major European market creates an opportunity to move toward products with higher added value.
The Next Step: Process More, Export More Value
Deep processing became one of the key topics in talks with Belgian businesses.
The sides discussed the production of food ingredients and animal feed, the localization of modern processing technologies in Kazakhstan, and potential joint investment projects in the country’s agro-industrial sector.
The logic is straightforward: exporting grain or seeds as raw materials is one business model. Processing them in Kazakhstan, creating a higher-value product, and only then selling it abroad is a very different one.
Such an approach could bring new production facilities, technologies, and more sophisticated export chains into Kazakhstan.
Maselis and Borlix NV are being considered as potential partners ahead of the first-ever state visit of King Philippe of the Belgians to Kazakhstan, scheduled for autumn 2026.
Why the Port of Zeebrugge Matters for Kazakhstan
Another part of the visit took place at the Port of Zeebrugge, which is part of the unified Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
It is one of Europe’s major deep-sea ports, with developed road, rail, and maritime infrastructure. For Kazakhstan, its main value lies in its potential role as a gateway for goods entering the European Union market.
Roman Vassilenko presented the opportunities offered by the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor.
The route connects China and Central Asia with Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and onward European transport networks.
For Kazakh exporters, the expansion of this route means greater logistics diversification and new delivery options for agricultural products destined for European buyers.
Linking the Middle Corridor with the infrastructure of Antwerp-Bruges could become one of those options.
From Seaports to Tourism Partnerships
The working visit was not limited to business and logistics.
In Blankenberge, Roman Vassilenko met with Mayor Björn Prasse. The two sides discussed the possibility of establishing direct cooperation between regions and municipalities in Belgium and Kazakhstan.
Blankenberge is particularly relevant to Kazakhstan as a coastal tourism destination. Potential areas of cooperation include resort management, environmental projects, yacht infrastructure, urban mobility, and cultural exchanges.
The broader idea is to develop Kazakhstan-Belgium ties not only through governments and large businesses, but also directly between municipalities.
For Kazakhstan’s tourism regions, such cooperation could provide access to European experience in managing resort areas, from transport and urban development to handling tourist flows.
Political Changes in Kazakhstan Also Discussed
During the meeting with the mayor of Blankenberge, the Ambassador also spoke about political and constitutional changes underway in Kazakhstan.
The Belgian side was briefed on the entry into force of the new Constitution and preparations for elections to the new unicameral Parliament — the Qurultay.
The political agenda formed part of a broader discussion about Kazakhstan’s economic development, tourism potential, and opportunities for stronger regional cooperation.
Why West Flanders Matters to Kazakhstan
West Flanders brings together several sectors that are increasingly important to Kazakhstan: agribusiness, maritime logistics, tourism, and modern approaches to urban development.
The visit therefore connected Kazakh agriculture, Belgian processing expertise, and European port infrastructure within a single economic chain.
If the talks lead to concrete projects, Kazakhstan could expand not only its exports of flaxseed and other agricultural goods, but also domestic processing capacity.
That is where the biggest economic gain lies: selling Europe not only raw materials, but products whose added value is created in Kazakhstan.
